All Holiday Celebrations MUST Begin With This Recording!!

'Tis the season to be jazzed! Cool Yule: A Jazz Spot Special, has arrived and once again, we will share jazzy yuletide carols old and NEW! The holiday jazz treasure chest was officially opened Thanksgiving weekend and its use culminates with our swinging bash of seasonal favorites!

There's so much to celebrate and take stock of this time of year! The Winter Solstice occurs December 21 at 6:12 AM, (EST) marking the official transition to Winter and the shortest day (longest night!) of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Some of our most beloved traditions of the season come from the celebration of Yuletide upon the arrival of the Winter Solstice. In ancient times, Yuletide, at or near the time of the winter solstice, was a time of singing, feasting, rejoicing, and merrymaking, with exclamations of "peace on earth and goodwill to men". The exact nature of celebrations varied from place to place and time to time but gift giving and gift givers, decorations, the tree, and a period of peace were all commonly a part of the celebration of light and the return of the sun from the south.

We're so proud of Georgia's own, Will Scruggs Jazz Fellowship for being in NPR's "5 Jazz Christmas Albums for 2012! And you heard his wonderful recording, "Song Of Simeon: A Christmas Journey", first on The Jazz Spot!

Check it out:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2012/12/13/167207729/5-jazz-chris…

Of course, we must celebrate another year together of sharing this music we love!This year's edition of Cool Yule will continue to explore ancient yuletide carols, traditional tunes, spirit sounds and the good 'ole favorites that will fill your evening and your hearts with Christmas Cheer!!!

Be sure to tune in for "Cool Yule: A Jazz Spot Special" at 8 PM on your GPB Radio Station, mobile device or on our website! You'll be swinging for sure!

If you have questions, you can e-mail me at jazz@gpb.org or follow me on twitter @masanijazz or join the fun on The Jazz Spot on GPB Radio on Facebook.

Shine your light with others during the holiday season and throughout the year...and as you do that, please remain inspired by jazz music and culture, everyday! Wishing you bright moments, peace and the happiest holidays ever!!!

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